Killer of grandmother learns he's to die, too

An East Baltimore man received a death sentence yesterday for robbing and gunning down a 49-year-old grandmother on a Westview Mall parking lot.

Wesley Baker, who was convicted Monday by a Harford Circuit jury that deliberated two hours, sat without emotion as Judge Cypert O. Whitfill signed the order for his execution. Death sentences automatically are reviewed by the state Court of Appeals.

Before rendering his decision,Judge Whitfill offered the defendant a final chance to speak to the court.

Baker's firm "No!" pierced the air in the hushed courtroom.

Judge Whitfill said he was convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the 34-year-old Baker took Jane Tyson's purse, then shot her in front of two of her grandchildren on June 6, 1991.

"I have great admiration for everyone involved, especially the Baltimore County police," he said. "And the true hero was Scott Faust."

Mr. Faust of Catonsville happened on the crime scene as Baker and Lawrence sped off in a blue Chevrolet Blazer. Mr. Faust chased them and returned to give police the tag number of the Blazer and descriptions of Baker and Lawrence.

"It all meshed to bring about justice," Mr. Tyson said. "I'm glad the judge agreed that this crime made no sense. Jane was no threat. She didn't have to die."

Baker becomes the 11th death row inmate in Maryland. The state has not carried out a death penalty sentence since June 9, 1961, when Nathaniel Lipscomb was executed in the gas chamber for rape and murder. Before 1956, those executed in Maryland were hanged.